STRESS AND DIABETES: DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

In routine investigations our blood sugar could be normal and we may be happy that we are normal!

But suddenly we get bombarded; by melodramatized news of riots, killings and carnages; with superficial and erroneous interpretations. Naturally; we are disturbed by these STRESSORS and work hard for solutions. Ultimately when we think we have got the solutions and are desperate to provide them; no one is bothered! We get suffocated and STRESSED! Our blood sugar shoots up and we �become diabetic�!

It is ironical that the conscientious amongst us; get disturbed by the suffering (STRESS) of others and in turn; get STRESS; and several ill effects of STRESS!

But reverting to callousness; because of such suffering; is not possible! The only way is to conquer the STRESS that inflicted even the greats like Swami Vivekananda and Lokamanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak!

Conquering such STRESS through Total Stress Management (the core of which is NAMASMARAN); for the benefit of mankind; is a joyous and victorious process of SWADHARMA; through which, suffocation, helplessness and misery get drained (like the pus from abscess) and to our pleasant surprise; our blood sugar comes back to normal!

It would be beneficial to patients, doctors and all concerned; if we include these subtle aspects of Total Stress Management; in all the mainstream curriculums; including the medical ones!

STRESS, DIABETES AND VERTIGO

Diabetes is caused and/or aggravated by STRESS. Diabetes; in turn causes devastating symptoms and produces STRESS.

One of such symptoms; is vertigo or giddiness. This is because of irritation or degenerative inflammation of the sensitive receptor cells in the vestibular apparatus; called hair cells. This causes giddiness; especially when we look into depth and develop morbid fear of depth; which we would not feel if our nerves were strong and healthy!

In diabetes; there is inability to efficiently use the fuels for the nutrition; especially of our central, autonomic and peripheral nervous system, which begin to degenerate, weaken and become irritable earlier and faster! Hence we suffer from tingling, numbness, needles, pins, burning etc.

(Giddiness and/or vertigo can be also due to gastritis. This is usually due to late night parties; because of burning of the inner lining of the stomach. In such cases; we should drink lot of water and induce vomiting by rubbing the palate; which allays the symptoms of giddiness in most instances. It is worthwhile to verify this.)
The nerve weakness and degeneration has to be treated with vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, Calcium, multivitamins, Methyl Cobalamine, calcitriol, Chyavanaprash, and other Ayurvedic herbs. Vitamin D and calcium stabilize the cell membranes and reduce irritability. Methyl cobalamine nourishes the nerves. Other supplements fulfill the deficiency. In addition pranayama can also be useful, which needs verification.

All this treatment requires certain degree of buoyancy, patience and mental discipline, which we can get through the practice of NAMASMARAN also called JAAP, JAP, and JIKRA.

STRESS, DIABETES AND INFECTIONS

Diabetes is known to invite infections. It is said that pranayama can be useful to prevent or reduce the severity of infections.

We can combine NAMASMARAN with KAPALBHATI pranayama and walking.

KAPALBHATI stimulates and massages the neural receptors in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, blood vessels in the abdominal and chest cavity, the internal organs in the abdominal and chest cavity and reticular activating system with its diffuse net like supply to the whole brain. It is also possible that there rhythmic changes in the pressure due to KAPALBHATI in the intracranial and cerebrospinal fluid pressure.

Walking reduces the hypokinetic STRESS and burns calories; thus helping control of diabetes.

Walking combined with KAPALBHATI is GAMAN KAPALBHATI; and has to be practiced with due precautions. It is contraindicated in abdominal wound, gastrointestinal diseases, hernia, burns, surgery, pregnancy, and fractures etc.

In addition ANULOM VILOM, which is inhaling and exhaling alternately with left and right nostrils and BHRAMARI, which is humming like a bee with index fingers on the forehead near the eyebrows, middle and ring fingers on the closed eyes, little fingers on the cheek below the lower eyelids and the thumbs on the tragus closing openings of the ears, during prolonged and peaceful expiration; can be practiced.

The mechanism by which ANULOM VILOM works is possibly by alternately activating the right and left cerebral cortexes and harmonizing the activity of mind through reticular activating system.

BHRAMARI probably works by the vibrations produced from within. This is a unique way of internal stimulation (not possible by external vibratory equipments), that produces vibratory stimulation of internal organs such as sinuses and oro-pharyngeal and laryngeal areas.

But extensive double blind clinical trials have to be done to confirm their utility in diabetes. But in any case, the KAPALBHATI, ANULOM VILOM and BHRAMARI are rejuvenating and refreshing; especially if combined with NAMASMARAN!

STRESS, DIABETES AND CONFUSION

Diabetes and other such chronic diseases usually cause confusion, doubts, panic, alarm, fear and dread; because of conflicting claims and information; bombarded day in and day out; and this often leads to erroneous decisions of patients as well as treating doctors; and inconsistent; and sometimes disastrous results! This causes further precipitation of STRESS! As a first step to manage this STRESS; we ask the following questions and seek answers for them!

1. What are the possible composite effects of factors like autonomic nervous function and secretions of thyroxin, glucagon, cortisol, epinephrine, nor epinephrine; besides insulin; in causation and progress of diabetes? Even as the effects of these hormones are studied individually; are there in vivo studies about the interactions of these hormones and their relationship/s to diabetes mellitus?

2. Is the functional status of liver considered while deciding the drug treatment (and doses) of diabetes mellitus; in view of glucose releasing function of liver?

3. Do we consider the variation in gastrointestinal absorption, secretion and gastrointestinal movements while treating diabetes mellitus?

4. How does stress and stress management (and the various techniques involved in them) affect the treatment of diabetes mellitus?

5. How does the vomiting or diarrhea affect the treatment of diabetes mellitus?

6. How does sleep affect the treatment of diabetes?

7. How do the common conditions such as common cold affect diabetes treatment?

8. What is the significance of the measurement of intracellular glucose concentration in diabetes mellitus?

9. Are there any studies on the effect of cold bath on diabetes mellitus?

10. Are there any studies on the effects of liver tonics such as AROGYA VARDHINI on diabetes mellitus?

11. It is reported that beta cells of pancreas are unable to secrete insulin and the insulin receptors are damaged due to acidity. The blame is put on fast foods and white sugar, tea, coffee, aerated drinks and so on.

The questions, which arise, are:
�Is the reported higher acidity of blood (low pH) measured in diabetes mellitus?�

�Are there any ill effects or symptoms of systemic acidity (low pH) which is called acidosis in modern medicine; in case of diabetics?�

�Do certain foods, which are alleged; cause high acidity in the vicinity of cells without causing measurable change in the blood pH; as is seen in case of gastric acidity, which is not associated with acidosis?�

�Is the higher acidity in the vicinity of beta cells and/or other cells measured with documentation of corresponding damage?�

12. Why intracellular glucose concentration is not determined instead of plasma glucose concentration?

13. If it is measured in experiments how does it correlate with the plasma glucose levels or what are the corresponding values?

14. Is not there intracellular starvation of glucose, if blood glucose is increased because of defective utilization? Wouldn�t the cells be further starved; if we reduce the intake of sugar; even though we try to increase utilization; by hypoglycemic drugs?

15. If there is reduction in the carbohydrate and fat intake, would not it mean that there is proportionate increase in proteins? Would not add to the load on proteolytic enzymes and also; be detrimental to kidney?

16. What is the assurance that plasma glucose is not affected by variable absorption and variable excretion in variable quantity and frequency of faeces?

17. Would not the variable energy output (determined by several physiological variables) affect the blood glucose (Without deterioration of glucose metabolism)?

18. If the glucose intake is reduced, would not it deprive the normal stimulation of insulin secretion? Would it not be alright therefore to include normal (not excessive) sweet items in diet?

19. How many institutions in the world; teach the scientific stress management (pivotal in prevention and management of hundreds of disease conditions including diabetes) in all their education courses? How many channels on electronic media teach; definition, causes, effects, dimensions, mechanisms, and support systems, of stress?

20. How many studies have correlated the stress and diabetes mellitus quantitatively?

21. How many studies have correlated diabetic complications; exclusively with the blood glucose levels?

22. How many doctors use Ayurvedic; and other alternative remedies and pranayama in diabetes; and vice versa?

23. Can NAMASMARAN as such be curative in diabetes?
24. Can VAMANA be useful in diabetes mellitus?

The fact that the neurons; in gastrointestinal tract are more in number than the neurons in the spinal cord; suggested to me that VAMANA (which means induced vomiting) can stimulate the gastrointestinal tract from within and stimulate hormones secretion from gastrointestinal tract and also from pancreas.

I thought this reflex stimulation could be useful in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. I tried it on myself. Apart from immediate relief from acidity, giddiness, throbbing headache, sinusitis, expectoration, uneasiness from gastric discomfort; I found it useful (though I can not prove it scientifically as I have not excluded other factors) in diabetes mellitus.

For VAMANA i.e. induction of vomiting
a. drink about a liter of water either on empty stomach or after food and
b. bend over the commode and stimulate my palate with fingers.
This induces vomiting. Excepting initial hesitation and apprehension this procedure is effective.

This is NOT advice. However, it may stimulate the study, research, clinical trials, judicious and careful practice with respect to benefits of VAMANA in diabetes and other conditions, apart from stuffy nose, acidity, giddiness and uneasiness associated with gastritis and gastric discomfort).


STRESS, DIABETES AND TOTAL STRESS MANAGEMENT

We may or may not get the answers to above questions; but sharing our questions with others; is itself a measure of Total Stress Management!

The most important thing is not feeling helpless. But this is very difficult, because of our attachment to our family, friends, and our mission. In view of our falling health; all these appear to go away from us and desert us; and we begin to suffer the loss and be miserable! Being proved as losers, we begin to sink further into agony of shame and humiliation.

However the consistent and tenacious practice of NAMASMARAN; can give us unconditional peace, buoyancy, poise; for accurate decision making and compliance with all the prevalent and innovative modalities of treatment! This helps us take diabetes and the uprooting and devastating bizarre symptoms; in our stride! This is important; so as to help our treating physician; in healing us more completely!